Golf coupling mechanisms and related methods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of golf coupling mechanisms are presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a non-provisional U.S. utility patent application claimingpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/529,880, filed onAug. 31, 2011, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/590,232, filed on Jan. 24, 2012. The disclosure of the referencedapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, andrelates, more particularly, to golf coupling mechanisms and relatedmethods.

BACKGROUND

Several sports, like golf, require equipment with features that can beselected or custom-fit to an individual's characteristics orpreferences. For example, the recommended type of club shaft, type ofclub head, and/or the loft or lie angle of the club head may vary basedon the individual's characteristics, such as skill, age or height. Onceassembled, however, golf clubs normally have fixed, unchangeablecoupling mechanisms between their golf club shafts and golf club heads.Accordingly, when determining suitable equipment for the individual, anunnecessarily large number of golf clubs with such fixed couplingmechanisms must be available to test different combinations of clubshafts, club heads, loft angles, and/or lie angles. In addition, if theindividual's characteristics or preferences were to change, his golfequipment would not be adjustable to account for such changes.Adjustable coupling mechanisms can be configured to provide suchflexibility in changeably setting different features of golf clubs, butmay introduce instabilities leading to lack of cohesion orconcentrations of stress at the golf club head and golf club shaftcoupling. Considering the above, further developments in golf couplingmechanisms and related methods will enhance utilities and adjustabilityfeatures for golf clubs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood from a reading of thefollowing detailed description of examples of embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a golf club head with agolf coupling mechanism according to one example of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the golf club head with thegolf coupling mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head alongcross-sectional line III-III of FIG. 2, showing the golf couplingmechanism with a shaft sleeve inserted into a shaft receiver.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head and thegolf coupling mechanism along cross-sectional line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the shaft sleeve decoupled from thegolf club head.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the shaft sleeve alongcross-sectional line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of the shaft sleeve alongcross-sectional line VII-VII of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, with theshaft sleeve removed therefrom, showing the shaft receiver from above.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side cross-sectional side view of the golf clubhead of FIG. 1 along cross-sectional line III-III of FIG. 2, with theshaft sleeve removed therefrom.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a portion of a sleeve coupler set ofthe shaft sleeve.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side x-ray view of a portion a receiver couplerset of the shaft receiver.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of a portion of a sleeve coupler set ofa shaft sleeve similar to the shaft sleeve of FIGS. 1-7, and 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side x-ray view of a portion a receiver couplerset of a shaft receiver similar to the shaft receiver of FIGS. 1-4, 8-9,and 11.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the golf couplingmechanism in a first configuration, with respect to the viewpoint ofcross-sectional line XIV-XIV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the golf couplingmechanism in a second configuration, with respect to the viewpoint ofcross-sectional line XIV-XIV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 16 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the golf couplingmechanism in a third configuration, with respect to the viewpoint ofwith the shaft sleeve removed therefrom line XIV-XIV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the golf couplingmechanism in a fourth configuration, with respect to the viewpoint ofwith the shaft sleeve removed therefrom line XIV-XIV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart for a method that can be used toprovide, form, and/or manufacture a golf coupler mechanism in accordancewith the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a comparison of stagnant drag wake areas forrespective hosels of different golf club heads 1910 and 1920.

FIG. 20 illustrates a chart of drag as a function of open face anglewith respect to the hosel diameters the golf club heads of FIG. 19.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacturedescribed herein are, for example, capable of operation in otherorientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements, mechanically or otherwise. Coupling (whether mechanical orotherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent orsemi-permanent or only for an instant.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near theword “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. inquestion is or is not removable.

As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they arecomprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or moreelements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece ofmaterial.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one example, a golf coupling mechanism for a golf club head and agolf club shaft can comprise a shaft sleeve configured to be coupled toan end of the golf club shaft. The shaft sleeve can comprise a shaftbore configured to receive the end of the golf club shaft, a sleeve axisextending along a longitudinal centerline of the shaft sleeve, from asleeve top end to a sleeve bottom end of the shaft sleeve, a sleeveouter wall centered about the sleeve axis, a first coupler protrudingfrom the sleeve outer wall, and a second coupler protruding from thesleeve outer wall. The first coupler can comprise a first arcuatesurface curved throughout the first coupler. The second coupler cancomprise a second arcuate surface curved throughout the second coupler.The first and second arcuate surfaces can be configured to restrict arotation of the shaft sleeve relative to the golf club head.

In one example, a method for providing a golf coupling mechanism cancomprise providing a shaft sleeve configured to be coupled to an end ofa golf club shaft. Providing the shaft sleeve can comprise providing asleeve axis extending along a longitudinal centerline of the shaftsleeve, from a sleeve top end to a sleeve bottom end of the shaftsleeve, providing a sleeve outer wall a sleeve outer wall centered aboutthe sleeve axis, providing a first coupler protruding from the sleeveouter wall, and providing a second coupler protruding from the sleeveouter wall. Providing the first coupler can comprise providing a firstarcuate surface curved throughout the first coupler. Providing thesecond coupler can comprise providing a second arcuate surface curvedthroughout the second coupler. Wherein the first and second arcuatesurfaces can be configured to restrict a rotation of the shaft sleeverelative to a golf club head.

In one example, a golf club can comprise a golf club head, a golf clubshaft, and a golf coupling mechanism for coupling the golf club head andthe golf club shaft together. The golf coupling mechanism can comprisesa shaft sleeve configured to be coupled to an end of the golf clubshaft, and a shaft receiver of the golf club head configured to receivethe shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve can comprise a sleeve axis extendingalong a longitudinal centerline of the shaft sleeve, from a sleeve topend to a sleeve bottom end of the shaft sleeve, a shaft bore non-coaxialto the sleeve axis and configured to receive the end of the golf clubshaft, a sleeve outer wall centered about the sleeve axis, a sleeveinsertion portion bounded by the sleeve outer wall and configured to beinserted into the shaft receiver, a first coupler protruding from thesleeve outer wall, and a second coupler protruding from the sleeve outerwall. The shaft receiver can comprise a receiver inner wall configuredto bound the sleeve outer wall when the sleeve insertion portion is inthe shaft receiver, a third coupler indented into the receiver innerwall, and a fourth coupler indented into the receiver inner wall. Thefirst coupler comprises a first arcuate surface curved throughout thefirst coupler. The first arcuate surface can comprise a first verticalradius of curvature of at least approximately 10.1 mm and a firsthorizontal radius of curvature of approximately 2.5 mm to approximately5.7 mm. The second coupler can comprise a second arcuate surface curvedthroughout the second coupler. The second arcuate surface can comprise asecond vertical radius of curvature of at least approximately 10.1 mmand a second horizontal radius of curvature of approximately 2.5 mm toapproximately 5.7 mm. The third coupler can comprise a third arcuatesurface complementary with at least a portion of the third arcuatesurface of the first coupler. The third arcuate surface can comprise athird vertical radius of curvature of at least approximately 10.1 mm anda third horizontal radius of curvature of approximately 2.5 mm toapproximately 5.7 mm. The fourth coupler can comprise a fourth arcuatesurface complementary with at least a portion of the second arcuatesurface of the second coupler. The fourth arcuate surface can comprise afourth vertical radius of curvature of at least approximately 10.1 mmand a fourth horizontal radius of curvature of approximately 2.5 mm toapproximately 5.7 mm. The first, second, third, and fourth arcuatesurfaces can be configured to restrict a rotation of the shaft sleeverelative to the golf club head.

Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Suchexamples and embodiments may be found in the figures, in the claims,and/or in the present description.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view ofgolf club head 101 with golf coupling mechanism 1000 according to oneexample of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspectiveview of golf club head 101 with golf coupling mechanism 1000. FIG. 3illustrates a cross-sectional view of golf club head 101 along lineIII-III of FIG. 2, showing golf coupling mechanism 1000 with shaftsleeve 1100 inserted into shaft receiver 3200. FIG. 4 illustrates across-sectional view of golf club head 101 and golf coupling mechanism1000 along line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, golf coupling mechanism 1000 comprises shaftsleeve 1100 configured be coupled to an end of a golf club shaft, suchas golf club shaft 102 (FIG. 1). FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of shaftsleeve 1100 decoupled from golf club head 101 (FIG. 1). FIG. 6illustrates a cross sectional view of shaft sleeve 1100 along line VI-VIof FIG. 5. In the present example, shaft sleeve 1100 comprises shaftbore 3120 configured to receive the end of golf club shaft 102. Shaftsleeve 1100 also comprises sleeve axis 5150 extending along alongitudinal centerline of shaft sleeve 1100, from sleeve top end 1191to sleeve bottom end 3192. Sleeve outer wall 3130 is a right anglecylinder such that at least portions of sleeve outer wall 3130 aresubstantially parallel to sleeve axis 5150 in the present example, andbound shaft bore 3120 therewithin. In other words, sleeve axis 5150 isthe center of sleeve outer wall 3130 in this embodiment. In the presentexample, shaft bore 3120 extends coaxially to shaft bore axis 6150, andis angled with respect to sleeve axis 5150, thus being non-coaxialthereto. Shaft bore axis 6150 is angled at approximately 0.5 degreesfrom sleeve axis 5150 in the present example, but there can be exampleswhere such angle can be of approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4degrees relative to sleeve axis 5150. Accordingly, shaft bore 3210 andsleeve outer wall 3130 are not concentric in this embodiment. There canbe other embodiments, however, where shaft bore axis 6150 can besubstantially collinear with sleeve axis 5150, such that sleeve outerwall 3130 and shaft bore 3120 can be substantially concentric.

Shaft sleeve 1100 comprises sleeve coupler set 3110 with one or morecouplers protruding from sleeve outer wall 3130. FIG. 7 illustrates across-section view of shaft sleeve 1100 along line VII-VII of FIG. 5across sleeve coupler set 3110. FIGS. 3-7 illustrate different views ofsleeve coupler set 3110 protruding from sleeve outer wall 3130. In thepresent example, sleeve coupler set 3110 comprises sleeve couplers 3111,3112, 5116, and 7115 protruding from sleeve outer wall 3130, wheresleeve coupler 3112 lies opposite sleeve coupler 3111 and sleeve coupler7115 lies opposite sleeve coupler 5116 along perimeter 7191 of sleeveouter wall 3130. As can be seen from FIG. 7, sleeve coupler set 3110forms alternating concave and convex surfaces about perimeter 7191 inthe present embodiment.

The sleeve couplers of sleeve coupler set 3110 comprise arcuate surfacesconfigured to restrict rotation of shaft sleeve 1100 relative golf clubhead 101 when shaft sleeve 1100 is inserted and secured in shaftreceiver 3200. For example, as seen in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7: (a) sleevecoupler 3111 comprises arcuate surface 3151 curved throughout the outerarea of sleeve coupler 3111, (b) sleeve coupler 3112 comprises arcuatesurface 3152 curved throughout the outer area of sleeve coupler 3112,(c) sleeve coupler 5116 comprises arcuate surface 5156 curved throughoutthe outer area of sleeve coupler 5116, and (d) sleeve coupler 7115comprises arcuate surface 7155 curved throughout the outer area ofsleeve coupler 7115.

Golf coupling mechanism 1000 also comprises shaft receiver 3200,configured to receive shaft sleeve 1100 as seen in FIGS. 3-4. FIG. 8illustrates a top view of golf club head 101 with shaft sleeve 1100removed therefrom, showing shaft receiver 3200 from above. FIG. 9illustrates a cross-sectional side view of golf club head 101 with shaftsleeve 1100 removed therefrom and along line III-III of FIG. 2, showinga side cross section of shaft receiver 3200.

In the present example, shaft receiver 3200 is integral with hosel 1015of club head 101, but there can be embodiments where shaft receiver 3200can be distinct from hosel 1015 and coupled thereto via one or morefastening methods, such as via adhesives, via a screw thread mechanism,and/or via a bolt or rivet. There can also be embodiments where golfclub head 101 may comprise a head bore into its crown or top portion,rather than hosel 1015. In such embodiments, the shaft receiver 3200 mayalso be part of, or coupled to, such head bore.

Shaft sleeve 1100 is configured to be inserted into shaft receiver 3200,and can be subdivided in several portions. For example, shaft sleeve1100 comprises sleeve insertion portion 3160 bounded by sleeve outerwall 3130 and configured to be internal to shaft receiver 3200 whenshaft sleeve 1100 is secured in shaft receiver 3200. In the presentexample, shaft sleeve 1100 also comprises sleeve top portion 3170,configured to remain external to shaft receiver 3200 when shaft sleeve1100 is secured in shaft receiver 3200. There can be other examples,however, that are devoid of sleeve top portion 3170 and/or with a shaftsleeve similar to shaft sleeve 1100 but configured to be inserted in itsentirety into shaft receiver 3200.

Shaft receiver 3200 comprises receiver inner wall 3230 configured tobound sleeve insertion portion 3160 and sleeve outer wall 3130 of shaftsleeve 1100 when inserted therein. Shaft receiver 3200 also comprisesreceiver coupler set 3210 configured to engage coupler set 3110 of shaftsleeve 1100 to restrict a rotation of shaft sleeve 1100 relative toshaft receiver 3200. In the present embodiment, as can be seen in FIG.8, receiver coupler set 3210 comprises receiver couplers 3213, 3214,8217, and 8218 indented into receiver inner wall 3230, with receivercoupler 3213 opposite receiver coupler 3214 and with receiver coupler8218 opposite receiver coupler 8217.

The receiver couplers of receiver coupler set 3210 in shaft receiver3200 comprise arcuate surfaces complementary with the arcuate surfacesof sleeve coupler set 3110 of shaft sleeve 1100. For example: (a)receiver coupler 3213 comprises arcuate surface 3253 curved throughoutthe inner area of receiver coupler 3213 (FIG. 8), where arcuate surface3253 of receiver coupler 3213 is complementary with arcuate surface 3151of sleeve coupler 3111 (FIG. 7), (b) receiver coupler 3214 comprisesarcuate surface 3254 curved throughout the inner area of receivercoupler 3214 (FIG. 8), where arcuate surface 3254 of receiver coupler3214 is complementary with arcuate surface 3152 of sleeve coupler 3112(FIG. 7), (c) receiver coupler 8217 comprises arcuate surface 8257curved throughout the inner area of receiver coupler 8217 (FIG. 8),where arcuate surface 8257 of receiver coupler 8217 is complementarywith arcuate surface 7155 of sleeve coupler 7115 (FIG. 7), and (d)receiver coupler 8218 comprises arcuate surface 8258 curved throughoutthe inner area of receiver coupler 8218 (FIG. 8), where arcuate surface8258 of receiver coupler 8218 is complementary with arcuate surface 5156of sleeve coupler 5116 (FIG. 7).

In the present embodiment, the arcuate surfaces of sleeve coupler set3110 and of receiver coupler set 3210 are curved throughout theirrespective sleeve couplers and receiver couplers. FIG. 10 illustrates aside view of a portion of shaft sleeve 1100 and sleeve coupler set 3110.FIG. 11 illustrates a side x-ray view of a portion of shaft receiver3200 and receiver coupler set 3210. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 10, arcuatesurface 5156 of sleeve coupler 5116 comprises horizontal radius ofcurvature 7176, arcuate surface 3151 of sleeve coupler 3111 compriseshorizontal radius of curvature 7171, arcuate surface 3152 of sleevecoupler 3112 comprises horizontal radius of curvature 7172, and arcuatesurface 7155 of sleeve coupler 7115 comprises horizontal radius ofcurvature 7175 in the present example. Also in the present example, thearcuate surfaces of sleeve coupler set 3110 comprise vertical taperingsthat decrease in thickness towards sleeve bottom end 3192 of shaftsleeve 1100 and towards sleeve axis 5150 (FIGS. 5-6). For example, asseen in FIG. 10, arcuate surface 5156 of sleeve coupler 5116 comprisesvertical tapering 10186, arcuate surface 3151 of sleeve coupler 3111comprises vertical tapering 10181, and arcuate surface 3152 of sleevecoupler 3112 comprises vertical tapering 10182. Although not shown inFIG. 10, arcuate surface 7155 of sleeve coupler 7115 also comprises avertical tapering similar to vertical tapering 10186 of sleeve coupler5116.

With respect to receiver coupler set 3210 of shaft receiver 3200, asseen in FIGS. 8 and 11, arcuate surface 8258 of receiver coupler 8218comprises horizontal radius of curvature 8278 complementary withhorizontal radius of curvature 7176 of sleeve coupler 5116 (FIGS. 7,10), arcuate surface 3253 of receiver coupler 3213 comprises horizontalradius of curvature 8273 complementary with horizontal radius ofcurvature 7171 of sleeve coupler 3111 (FIG. 7), arcuate surface 3254 ofreceiver coupler 3214 comprises horizontal radius of curvature 8274complementary with horizontal radius of curvature 7172 of sleeve coupler3112 (FIG. 7), and arcuate surface 8257 of receiver coupler 8217comprises horizontal radius of curvature 8277 complementary withhorizontal radius of curvature 7175 of sleeve coupler 7115 (FIG. 7) inthe present example.

Also in the present example, the arcuate surfaces of receiver couplerset 3210 comprise vertical taperings complementary to the verticaltaperings of the arcuate surfaces of sleeve coupler set 3110. Forexample, as seen in FIG. 11, arcuate surface 8258 of receiver coupler8218 comprises vertical tapering 11288 complementary with verticaltapering 10186 of sleeve coupler 5116 (FIG. 10), arcuate surface 3253 ofreceiver coupler 3213 comprises vertical tapering 11283 complementarywith vertical tapering 10181 of sleeve coupler 3111 (FIG. 10), andarcuate surface 3254 of receiver coupler 3214 comprises verticaltapering 11284 complementary with vertical tapering 10182 of sleevecoupler 3112 (FIG. 10). Although not shown in FIG. 11, arcuate surface8257 of receiver coupler 8217 also comprises a vertical tapering similarto vertical tapering 11288 of receiver coupler 8218 and complementary tothe vertical tapering of sleeve coupler 7115.

In the present embodiment, the vertical taperings of the arcuatesurfaces of sleeve coupler set 3110 are substantially linear, decreasingin a substantially straight line as can be seen in the profile view ofvertical taperings 10181 and 10182 for sleeve couplers 3111 and 3112 inFIG. 10. Similarly, the vertical taperings of the arcuate surfaces ofreceiver coupler set 3210 are substantially linear, as can be seen inthe profile view of vertical taperings 11283 and 11284 for receivercouplers 3213 and 3214 in FIG. 11. In the same or other examples, thesubstantially linear vertical taperings of the arcuate surfaces ofsleeve coupler set 3110 and of receiver coupler set 3210 may beconsidered to comprise a large or infinite vertical radius of curvatureyielding a substantially straight line.

There can be other embodiments, however, where the vertical taperings ofthe sleeve couplers and/or the receiver couplers need not be linear.FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of a portion of shaft sleeve 12100 withsleeve coupler set 12110. FIG. 13 illustrates a side x-raycross-sectional view of shaft receiver 13200 with receiver coupler set13210.

Shaft sleeve 12100 can be similar to shaft sleeve 1100 (FIGS. 1-7, 10),and shaft receiver 13200 can be similar to shaft receiver 3200 (FIGS.3-4, 8, 10). Sleeve coupler set 12110 differs from sleeve coupler set3110, however, by comprising vertical taperings that are not linear. Forexample, sleeve coupler set 12110 comprises vertical taperings 12186,12181, and 12182 that are curved rather than linear, and can compriserespective vertical radii of curvature. Similarly, receiver coupler set13210 comprises vertical taperings 13288, 13283, and 13284 that arecurved rather than linear, and comprise respective vertical radii ofcurvature complementary with the radii of curvature of sleeve couplerset 12110. Accordingly, the sleeve couplers of sleeve coupler set 12110and the receiver couplers of receiver coupler set 13120 are each curvedhorizontally and vertically throughout their respective surface areas.For example, any horizontal line tangential to any point of a totalsurface of sleeve coupler 12116 is non-tangential to any other point ofthe total surface of sleeve coupler 12116. In the same or otherembodiments, the total surface of each sleeve coupler of sleeve couplerset 12110, and the total surface of each receiver coupler of receivercoupler set 13120 is each curved throughout and in all directions.

The different sleeve couplers and receiver couplers of the presentdisclosure may comprise respective curvatures within certain ranges. Forexample, with respect to FIGS. 7 and 10, horizontal radii of curvature7171, 7172, 7175, and 7176 of sleeve coupler set 3110 are each ofapproximately 0.175 inches (4.45 millimeters (mm)), but there can beembodiments where they could range from approximately 0.1 inches (2.54mm) to approximately 0.225 inches (5.715 mm). With respect to FIGS. 8and 11, horizontal radii of curvature 8273, 8274, 8277, and 8278 ofreceiver coupler set 3210 can be complementarily the same or similar tohorizontal radii of curvature 7171, 7172, 7175, and 7176 (FIGS. 7, 10),respectively. In addition, the horizontal radii of curvature for sleevecoupler set 12110 and for receiver coupler set 13210 in the embodimentof FIGS. 12-13 can also be similar to those described above with respectto the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 for sleeve coupler set 3110 and/orreceiver coupler set 3210.

As previously described, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the verticaltaperings of sleeve coupler set 3110 (FIG. 10) and of receiver couplerset 3210 (FIG. 11) can comprise vertical radii of curvatureapproximating infinity, thereby yielding substantially straight lines.In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-13, the vertical taperings of sleevecoupler set 12110 (FIG. 12) and of receiver coupler set 13210 (FIG. 13)comprise more pronounced vertical radii of curvature. As an example thevertical radius of curvature for vertical tapering 12186 of sleevecoupler 12116 (FIG. 12) is of approximately 0.8 inches (20.32 mm), butthere can be embodiments where it could range from approximately 0.4inches (10.16 mm) to 2 inches (50.8 mm). The vertical radii of curvaturefor other similar portions of sleeve coupler set 12110 can also be inthe same range described for vertical tapering 12186. In addition, thevertical radii of curvature for receiver coupler set 13210 (FIG. 13) canbe complementarily the same or similar to the vertical radii ofcurvature described for sleeve coupler set 12110 (FIG. 12).

In some examples, the arcuate surfaces of the sleeve couplers and/or ofthe receiver couplers may comprise portions of geometric structures. Forinstance, the arcuate surface of sleeve coupler 12116 (FIG. 12) cancomprise a quadric surface, and the arcuate surface of receiver coupler13218 (FIG. 13) can comprise a quadric surface complementary to thearcuate surface of sleeve coupler 12116. In such examples, the quadricsurface of sleeve coupler 12116 and of receiver coupler 13218 cancomprise, for example, a portion of a paraboloid surface or a portion ofa hyperboloid surface. There can also be examples with sleeve couplersand receiver couplers whose quadric arcuate surfaces can comprise aportion of a degenerate quadric surface, such as a portion of a conicalsurface. Such examples can be similar to those of FIGS. 10-11 withrespect to sleeve coupler set 3110 and receiver coupler set 3200.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 10-11 and of FIGS. 12-13, the arcuatesurfaces of the sleeve couplers of sleeve coupler set 3110 (FIG. 10)and/or 12110 (FIG. 12), and the arcuate surfaces of the receivercouplers of receiver coupler set 3210 (FIG. 11) and/or 13210 (FIG. 13),can be configured to be devoid of any inflection point, such as to becontinuously curved. In the same or other embodiments, such arcuatesurfaces can also be configured to be edgeless (except for theirrespective perimeter). For example, the total surface area of sleevecoupler 5116 (FIG. 10) is edgeless with respect to any portion of itstotal surface area within its perimeter. In addition, the total surfacearea of receiver coupler 8218 (FIG. 11) also is edgeless with respect toany portion of its total surface area within its perimeter. Similaredgeless attributes are also shared by sleeve coupler 12110 (FIG. 12)and receiver coupler 13218 (FIG. 13). The characteristics describedabove can permit the contact area to be maximized when sleeve couplersseat against receiver couplers to restrict rotation of their shaftsleeves relative to their respective shaft receivers.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3-7 and 10, sleeve coupler set 3110 protrudesfrom a top section of sleeve outer wall 3130. Similarly, as can be seenin FIGS. 3-4, 8-9, and 11, receiver coupler set 3210 is indented into atop section of receiver inner wall 3230. There can be other embodiments,however, where sleeve coupler set 3110 and receiver coupler set 3210 maybe located elsewhere. For instance, sleeve coupler set 3110 and receivercoupler set 3210 may be located at or towards bottom sections or midsections of shaft sleeve 1100 and shaft receiver 3200, respectively. Inthe same or other embodiments, the shape of sleeve coupler set 3110 andreceiver coupler set 3210 could be reversed such that sleeve coupler set3110 is recessed into sleeve outer wall 3130 and receiver coupler set3210 protrudes from receiver inner wall 3230. The apparatus, methods,and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in thisregard.

As can be seen in the cross section presented in FIG. 3, golf couplingmechanism 1000 also comprises securing fastener 3400 configured tosecure shaft sleeve 1100 to shaft receiver 3200. In the present example,securing fastener 3400 comprises a bolt configured to couple, via apassageway at a bottom of shaft receiver 3200, with sleeve bottom end3192 of shaft sleeve 1100. Securing fastener 3400 is configured tocouple with sleeve bottom end 3192 via a screw thread mechanism. As thescrew thread mechanism is tightened, securing fastener 3400 isconfigured to pull shaft sleeve 1100 towards the bottom end of shaftreceiver 3200, thereby causing the arcuate surfaces of sleeve couplerset 3110 to seat against the arcuate surfaces of receiver coupler set3210.

In the present embodiment, securing fastener 3400 comprises retainerelement 3450 coupled thereto to restrict or at least inhibit securingfastener 3400 from being fully removed from shaft receiver 3200 whendecoupled from shaft sleeve 1100. Retainer element 3450 comprises awasher located within shaft receiver 3200 and coupled around the threadsof securing fastener 3400. Retainer element 3450 can be configured toflexibly engage the threads of securing fastener 3400 in the presentembodiment, such as to permit positioning thereof along the threads ofsecuring fastener 3400 by ramming securing fastener 3400 throughretainer element 3450, and such as to remain substantially in place oncepositioned along the threads of securing fastener 3400. Retainer element3450 can thus retain an end of securing fastener 3400 within shaftreceiver 3200 after shaft sleeve 1100 is removed therefrom, and canpermit insertion of the end of securing fastener 3400 into sleeve bottomend 3192. In some examples, retainer element 3450 can comprise amaterial such as a nylon material or other plastic material moreflexible than the material of securing fastener 3400.

In other examples, the bore through which securing fastener 3400 entersshaft receiver 3200 may comprise threading corresponding to that ofsecuring fastener 3400, where such threading can thereby serve as theretainer element. IN these other examples, retainer element 3450 can beomitted.

Sleeve coupler set 3110 and receiver coupler set 3210 are configuredsuch that at least a majority of their respective arcuate surfaces seatagainst each other when shaft sleeve 1110 is secured in shaft receiver3200 by securing fastener 3400. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS.10-11, when seated against each other, at least a majority of a totalsurface of sleeve coupler 5116 and a majority a total surface ofreceiver coupler 8218 contact each other and restrict rotation of shaftsleeve 1100 relative to shaft receiver 3200. As another example, in theembodiment of FIGS. 11-12, when seated against each other, a majority ofa total surface of sleeve coupler 12116 and a majority of a totalsurface of receiver coupler 13218 also contact each other to restrictrotation. In the same or other examples, the contact area defined by theinterface between an individual sleeve coupler of sleeve coupler set3110 (FIG. 10) or 12110 (FIG. 12) and an individual receiver coupler ofreceiver coupler set 3210 (FIG. 11) or 13210 (FIG. 13) may be ofapproximately 51% to approximately 95% of a total surface of theindividual receiver coupler or the individual sleeve coupler. Suchcontact area may be even greater in some embodiments, such as tosubstantially approach or equal the total surface of the individualreceiver coupler and/or of the individual sleeve coupler. There can alsobe examples where, when the arcuate surfaces of the sleeve couplers ofsleeve coupler set 3110 (FIG. 10) or 12110 (FIG. 12) seat against thearcuate surfaces of the receiver couplers of receiver coupler set 3200(FIG. 11) or 13210 (FIG. 13), normal forces are exerted against eachother across the respective contact areas.

In the present example, when securing fastener 3400 secures shaft sleeve1100 in shaft receiver 3200, sleeve top portion 3170 remains external toshaft receiver 3200, with bottom end 3171 of sleeve top portion 3170spaced away from a top end of shaft receiver 3200 by the seating ofsleeve coupler set 3110 against receiver coupler set 3210. Such built-inspacing eases manufacturing tolerances, ensuring that sleeve coupler set3110 can properly seat against receiver coupler set 3210.

In the same or other examples, a portion of one or more of the sleevecouplers of sleeve coupler set 3110 may protrude past the top end ofshaft receiver 3200. There can also be examples where one or more of thesleeve couplers of sleeve coupler set 3110 may extend past the bottomend of one or more of the receiver couplers of receiver coupler set3210. In other examples, one or more of the receiver couplers ofreceiver coupler set may extend past the bottom end of one or more ofthe sleeve couplers of sleeve coupler set 3110. Some of the featuresdescribed above may be designed into golf coupling mechanism 1000 toease the required manufacturing tolerances while still permitting properseating of sleeve coupler set 3110 against receiver coupler set 3210.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of golf couplingmechanism 1000 in configuration 1400, with respect to the viewpoint ofline XIV-XIV of FIG. 4. Golf coupling mechanism 1000 is shown in FIGS.3-4 and 14 in configuration 1400, where sleeve couplers 3111, 7115,3112, and 5116 (FIG. 7) of sleeve coupler set 3110 are respectivelycoupled to receiver couplers 3213, 8217, 3214, and 8218 (FIG. 8) ofreceiver coupler set 3210. Because shaft bore axis 6150 (FIG. 6) isnon-coaxial with sleeve axis 5150 of shaft sleeve 1100 as describedabove, configuration 1400 in FIG. 14 can comprise a first lie angle anda first loft angle between shaft bore axis 6150 (FIG. 6) and shaftreceiver 3200 (FIGS. 3-4, 8-9) and/or between shaft 102 (FIG. 1) andgolf club head 101 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 15 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of golf couplingmechanism 1000 in configuration 1500, with respect to the viewpoint ofline XIV-XIV of FIG. 4. In configuration 1500, sleeve couplers 3112,5116, 3111, and 7115 (FIG. 7) of sleeve coupler set 3110 arerespectively coupled to receiver couplers 3213, 8217, 3214, and 8218(FIG. 8) of receiver coupler set 3210. Because shaft bore axis 6150(FIG. 6) is non-coaxial with sleeve axis 5150 of shaft sleeve 1100 asdescribed above, configuration 1500 in FIG. 15 can comprise a second lieangle and a second loft angle between shaft bore axis 6150 (FIG. 6) andshaft receiver 3200 (FIGS. 3-4, 8-9) and/or between shaft 102 (FIG. 1)and golf club head 101 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 16 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of golf couplingmechanism 1000 in configuration 1600, with respect to the viewpoint ofline XIV-XIV of FIG. 4. In configuration 1600, sleeve couplers 7115,3112, 5116, and 3111 (FIG. 7) of sleeve coupler set 3110 arerespectively coupled to receiver couplers 3213, 8217, 3214, and 8218(FIG. 8) of receiver coupler set 3210. Because shaft bore axis 6150(FIG. 6) is non-coaxial with sleeve axis 5150 of shaft sleeve 1100 asdescribed above, configuration 1600 in FIG. 16 will comprise a third lieangle and a third loft angle between shaft bore axis 6150 (FIG. 6) andshaft receiver 3200 (FIGS. 3-4, 8-9) and/or between shaft 102 (FIG. 1)and golf club head 101 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 17 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of golf couplingmechanism 1000 in configuration 1700, with respect to the viewpoint ofline XIV-XIV of FIG. 4. In configuration 1700, sleeve couplers 5116,3111, 7115, and 3112 (FIG. 7) of sleeve coupler set 3110 arerespectively coupled to receiver couplers 3213, 8217, 3214, and 8218(FIG. 8) of receiver coupler set 3210. Because shaft bore axis 6150(FIG. 6) is non-coaxial with sleeve axis 5150 of shaft sleeve 1100 asdescribed above, configuration 1700 in FIG. 17 will comprise a fourthlie angle and a fourth loft angle between shaft bore axis 6150 (FIG. 6)and shaft receiver 3200 (FIGS. 3-4, 8-9) and/or between shaft 102(FIG. 1) and golf club head 101 (FIG. 1).

Depending on the angle of shaft bore axis 6150 with respect to sleeveaxis 5150 and sleeve coupler set 3110, different lie and loft anglealignments may be attained via the configurations shown in FIGS. 14-17.For example, in the present embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 6, theangle between shaft bore axis 6150 and sleeve axis 5150 causes thebottom of shaft bore 3120 to point towards sleeve coupler 3111, suchthat shaft 102 (FIG. 1) will lean towards sleeve coupler 3112 wheninserted into shaft sleeve 1100.

Accordingly, in configuration 1400 (FIG. 14), the first lie angle maycomprise a lower lie angle, and the first loft angle may comprise aneutral or middle loft angle. As an example, the first lie angle can beset to tilt the grip end of shaft 102 towards the heel of golf club head101 (FIG. 1) by approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4 degrees,thereby decreasing the lie angle of the golf club in configuration 1400.The first loft angle, being neutral in the present example, does notaffect the tilt of shaft 102 in configuration 1400.

In configuration 1500 (FIG. 15), the second lie angle may comprise ahigher lie angle, and the second loft angle may comprise a neutral ormiddle loft angle, which may be similar or equal to the first loft angleof configuration 1400 (FIG. 14). As an example, second lie angle can beset to tilt the grip end of shaft 102 towards the toe of golf club head101 (FIG. 1) by approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4 degrees,thereby increasing the lie angle of the golf club in configuration 1500.The second loft angle, being neutral in the present example, does notaffect the tilt of shaft 102 in configuration 1500.

In configuration 1600 (FIG. 16), the third loft angle may comprise alower loft angle, and the third lie angle may comprise a neutral ormiddle lie angle. As an example, the third loft angle can be set to tiltthe grip end of shaft 102 towards the rear of golf club head 101(FIG. 1) by approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4 degrees,thereby decreasing the loft angle of the golf club in configuration1600. The third lie angle, being neutral in the present example, doesnot affect the tilt of shaft 102 in configuration 1600.

In configuration 1700 (FIG. 17), the fourth loft angle may comprise ahigher loft angle, and the fourth lie angle may comprise a neutral ormiddle lie angle, which may be similar or equal to the third lie angleof configuration 1600 (FIG. 16). As an example, the fourth loft anglecan be set to tilt the grip end of shaft 102 towards the front or strikeface of golf club head 101 (FIG. 1) by approximately 0.2 degrees toapproximately 4 degrees, thereby increasing the loft angle of the golfclub in configuration 1700. The fourth lie angle, being neutral in thepresent example, does not affect the tilt of shaft 102 in configuration1700.

Other lie and loft angle relationships may be configured in otherembodiments by altering the angle and/or orientation of shaft bore axis6150 (FIG. 6) with respect to sleeve axis 5150 (FIG. 6) of shaft sleeve1100. Furthermore, as seen from FIGS. 14-17, sleeve couplers 3111, 3112,5116, and 7115 are symmetric with each other, and receiver couplers3213, 3214, 8217, and 8218 are also symmetric with each other. In adifferent embodiment, only opposite ones of the sleeve couplers and thereceiver couplers may be symmetric with each other such that only two(and not four) different lie and loft angle combinations are permitted.

The different features described above for the golf coupler mechanismsof FIGS. 1-17 can also impart several performance benefits to the golfclubs on which they are used, when compared to other golf club headswith adjustable shaft coupling mechanisms. For example, because of thesmall number of parts required, and/or because receiver coupler set 3210is located only towards the top end of shaft receiver 3200 (FIG. 3),hosel diameter 1031 of hosel 1015 (FIG. 1) can be maintained to aminimum and/or relatively unchanged from a hosel diameter of acorresponding regular golf club head. In some examples, hosel diameter1031 can be of less than approximately 0.55 inches (approximately 14mm), such as of approximately 0.53 inches (approximately 13.46 mm). Inaddition, top wall thickness 9250 (FIG. 9) of shaft receiver 3200 can beminimized as shown at receiver top end 1032 of shaft receiver 3200. Insome examples, top wall thickness 9250 can be of approximately 0.035inches (approximately 0.89 mm) or less, such as of approximately 0.024inches (approximately 0.61 mm).

Because hosel diameter 1031 can be minimized as described above, theaerodynamic characteristics of golf club head 101 can be improved as aresult of the reduced aerodynamic drag from hosel 1015. FIG. 19illustrates a comparison of stagnant drag wake areas 1911 and 1921 forrespective hosels of golf club heads 1910 and 1920, where golf club head1910 comprises a hosel diameter of approximately 0.5 inches, and wheregolf club head 1920 comprises a larger hosel diameter of approximately0.62 inches. In some examples, golf club head 1910 can be similar togolf club head 101 (FIGS. 1-4, 8-9). As seen in FIG. 19, the largerhosel diameter of club head 1920 creates larger stagnant drag wake area1921 downstream of its hosel, leading to higher values of aerodynamicdrag when compared to the smaller stagnant drag wake area 1911 of clubhead 1910. FIG. 20 illustrates a chart of drag as a function of openface angle with respect to the hosel diameters golf club heads 1910 and1920. In some examples, club head 1910 can also comprise a golf clubshaft of reduced shaft thickness, such as a shaft thickness ofapproximately 0.335 inches (approximately 8.5 mm). In the same or otherexamples, for open-faced orientations of up to 50 degrees, suchdifference in hosel diameter can amount for up to approximately 0.1pounds less drag resistance for golf club head 1910 when compared to thelarger drag of golf club head 1920. In the same or other examples, thedrag of golf club head 1910 can range from approximately 1.2 pounds atan approximately square orientation, to approximately 0.2 pounds at anopen-faced orientation of approximately 50 degrees.

In the same or other embodiments, the mass and/or mass ratio of the golfcoupler mechanisms of FIGS. 1-17 can be minimized with respect to theirrespective golf club heads when compared to other golf club heads withadjustable shaft coupling mechanisms. For instance, in examples wheregolf club head 101 (FIGS. 1-4, 8-9) comprises a driver-type golf clubhead, the different elements of club head 101 can comprise masscharacteristics similar to those summarized below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Sample Mass Characteristics for Driver-Type Golf Club HeadExemplary Ranges for Driver Head Driver Heads Mass of Clubhead 101   192grams 185-205 grams (disassembled) (approx.) (approx.) Mass of Sleeve1100  5.2 grams    <6 grams (approx.) (approx.) Mass of Sleeve 1100 + 6.8 grams   <7.5 grams Securing Fastener 3400 (approx.) (approx.) TotalAssembled Clubhead 198.8 grams 188-213 grams Mass (approx.) (approx.)

In such examples, the mass ratios for the golf coupler mechanism 1000relative to assembled club head 101 can be very low, as summarized belowin Table 2.

TABLE 2 Sample Mass Ratios for Driver-Type Golf Club Head ExemplaryRanges for Driver Head Driver Heads$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {Sleeve}}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {disassembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$2.7% (approx.) <3% (approx.)$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {Sleeve}}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {assembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$2.6% (approx.) <3% (approx.)$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{Sleeve} + {{Securing}\mspace{14mu} {Fastener}}} \right)}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {disassembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$3.5% (approx.) <4% (approx.)$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{Sleeve} + {{Securing}\mspace{14mu} {Fastener}}} \right)}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {assembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$3.4% (approx.) <4% (approx.)

In other examples, such as where golf club head 101 (FIGS. 1-4, 8-9)comprises a fairway-wood-type golf club head, the different elements ofclub head 101 can comprise mass characteristics similar to thosesummarized below in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Sample Mass Characteristics for Fairway-Wood-Type Golf Club HeadExemplary Exemplary Exemplary Ranges for 3-FW Head 5-FW Head 7-FW HeadFW Heads Mass of   205 grams   209 grams   213 grams 200-225 gramsClubhead (approx.) (approx) (approx.) (approx.) 101 (dis- assembled)Mass of  5.2 grams  5.2 grams  5.2 grams    <6 grams Sleeve 1100(approx.) (approx.) (approx.) (approx.) Mass of  6.8 grams  6.8 grams 6.8 grams   <7.5 grams Sleeve (approx.) (approx.) (approx.) (approx.)1100 + Securing Fastener 3400 Total 211.8 215.8 219.8 203-233 gramsAssembled (approx.) (approx.) (approx.) (approx.) Clubhead Mass

In such examples, the mass ratios for the golf coupler mechanism 1000relative to assembled club head 101 can be very low, as summarized belowin Table 4.

TABLE 4 Sample Mass Ratios for Fairway-Wood-Type Golf Club HeadExemplary Exemplary Exemplary Ranges for 3-FW Head 5-FW Head 7-FW HeadFW Heads$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {Sleeve}}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {disassembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$2.54% (approx.) 2.48% (approx.) 2.44% (approx.) <2.8% (approx.)$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {Sleeve}}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {assembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$2.46% (approx.) 2.41% (approx.) 2.36% (approx.) <2.8% (approx.)$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{Sleeve} + {{Securing}\mspace{14mu} {Fastener}}} \right)}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {disassembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$3.32% (approx.) 3.25% (approx.) 3.19% (approx.) <3.5% (approx.)$\frac{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{Sleeve} + {{Securing}\mspace{14mu} {Fastener}}} \right)}{{Mass}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {assembled}\mspace{14mu} {Clubhead}}$3.21% (approx.) 3.16% (approx.) 3.10% (approx.) <3.5% (approx.)

There can be examples where the mass, dimension, and/or locationcharacteristics described above can provide benefits and/or flexibilitywith respect to the mass distribution and/or location of the center ofgravity for the golf club head. For example, in embodiments where clubhead 101 (FIGS. 1-4, 8-9) comprises a driver-type golf club head, centerof gravity 1150 (FIG. 1) of shaft sleeve 1100 can be configured to belocated at distance 1159 (FIG. 1) of less than approximately 1.72 inches(approximately 43.7 mm) above the exterior bottom end of the sole ofclub head 101. In the same or other examples, center of gravity 1150 ofshaft sleeve 1100 can be configured to be located at distance 1059(FIG. 1) of less than approximately 0.59 inches (approximately 15.0 mm)above center of gravity 1050 (FIG. 1) of assembled golf club head 101.

In other examples, such as in embodiments where club head 101 (FIGS.1-4, 8-9) comprises a fairway-wood-type golf club head, center ofgravity 1150 (FIG. 1) of shaft sleeve 1100 can be configured to belocated at distance 1159 (FIG. 1) of less than approximately 1.35 inches(approximately 34.3 mm) above the exterior bottom end of the sole ofclub head 101. In the same or other examples, center of gravity 1150 ofshaft sleeve 1100 can be configured to be located at distance 1059(FIG. 1) of less than approximately 0.74 inches (approximately 18.8 mm)above center of gravity 1050 (FIG. 1) of assembled golf club head 101.

There can also be examples, such as seen in FIG. 1, where receiver topend 1032 is at the top of hosel 1015 and is configured to remain belowthe upper end of crown 1017 of golf club head 101. Hosel 1015 can bedevoid of a cylindrical external top section in the same or otherembodiments, where crown 1017 can transition to the substantiallycircular external perimeter at receiver top end 1032 of hosel 1015without defining an cylindrical external shape for hosel 1015. Suchfeatures can permit location of the center of gravity of shaft sleeve1100 closer to the center of gravity of assembled golf club head 101.

Backtracking though the figures, FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart for amethod 18000, which can be used to provide, form, and/or manufacture agolf coupler mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure. Insome examples, the golf coupler mechanism can be similar to golf couplermechanism 1000 of FIGS. 1-11 and 14-16, or the golf coupler mechanism ofFIGS. 12-13.

Method 18000 comprises block 18100 for providing a shaft sleeve tocouple with an end of a golf club shaft and comprising a sleeve arcuatecoupler set. In some examples, the shaft sleeve can be similar to shaftsleeve 1100 (FIGS. 1-7, 10, 14-16) and/or to shaft sleeve 12100 (FIG.12), and the golf club shaft can be similar to golf club shaft 102(FIGS. 1, 5). In the same or other examples, the sleeve arcuate couplerset can be similar to sleeve coupler set 3110 (FIGS. 3-7, 10, 14-17)and/or to sleeve coupler set 12110 (FIG. 12).

Block 18200 of method 18000 comprises providing a shaft receiver of agolf club head, comprising a receiver arcuate coupler set configured tocouple with the sleeve arcuate coupler set of the shaft sleeve. In someexamples, the shaft receiver can be similar to shaft receiver 3200(FIGS. 3-4, 8-9, 11, 14-17) and/or to shaft receiver 13200 (FIG. 13).The receiver arcuate coupler set can be similar to receiver coupler set3210 (FIGS. 3-4, 8-9, 11, 14-17) and/or to receiver coupler set 13210(FIG. 13).

Block 18300 of method 18000 comprises providing a securing fastenerconfigured to secure the shaft sleeve to the shaft receiver. In someexamples, the securing fastener can be similar to securing fastener 3400(FIGS. 3-4). The securing fastener can be configured to pull the shaftsleeve towards the shaft receiver to seat the sleeve arcuate coupler setagainst the receiver arcuate coupler set.

In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of method 18000can be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and/orthe sequence of such blocks can be changed. For example, in someembodiments, blocks 18200 and 18300 may be combined if desired. In thesame or other examples, some of the blocks of method 18000 can besubdivided into several sub-blocks. As an example, block 18100 maycomprise a sub-block for forming horizontal radii of curvature for thearcuate surfaces of the sleeve couplers of the sleeve arcuate couplerset, and a sub-block for forming vertical taperings for the arcuatesurfaces of the sleeve couplers of the sleeve arcuate coupler set. Therecan also be examples where method 18000 can comprise further ordifferent blocks. As an example, method 18000 may comprise another blockfor providing the golf club head for the shaft receiver of block 18200,and/or another block for providing the shaft for the shaft sleeve ofblock 18100. In addition, there may be examples where method 18000 cancomprise only part of the steps described above. For instance, block18300 may be optional in some implementations. Other variations can beimplemented for method 18000 without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Although the golf coupling mechanisms and related methods herein havebeen described with reference to specific embodiments, various changesmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentdisclosure. As an example, there may be embodiments where sleeve couplerset 3110 (FIGS. 3-7, 10, 14-17) and/or sleeve coupler set 12110 (FIG.12) can comprise only two sleeve couplers, and where receiver couplerset 3210 (FIGS. 3-4, 8-9, 11, 14-17) receiver coupler set 13210 (FIG.13) can comprise only two receiver couplers. In such embodiments, onlytwo configurations may be possible between the shaft sleeve and theshaft receiver, and the golf coupler set may permit adjustment betweentwo lie angles or two loft angles. Of course, there can also beembodiments with sleeve coupler sets having three, five, six, seven,eight, or more sleeve couplers, and receiver coupler sets having three,five, six, seven eight, or more receiver couplers, with correspondingincreases in the number of possible lie and loft angle combinations.

Additional examples of such changes and others have been given in theforegoing description. Other permutations of the different embodimentshaving one or more of the features of the various figures are likewisecontemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawingsherein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosureand is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope ofthis application shall be limited only to the extent required by theappended claims.

The golf coupling mechanisms and related methods discussed herein may beimplemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion ofcertain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a completedescription of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detaileddescription of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose atleast one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternativeembodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theembodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacementof one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and notrepair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions toproblems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly statedin such claims.

As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulationsmay be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golfstandard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United StatesGolf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews(R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, andarticles of manufacture described herein may be conforming ornon-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly,golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/orsold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited inthis regard.

While the above examples may be described in connection with adriver-type golf club, the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golfclub such as a fairway wood-type golf club, a hybrid-type golf club, aniron-type golf club, a wedge-type golf club, or a putter-type golf club.Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacturedescribed herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment suchas a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

1. A golf club comprising: a golf club head; a golf club shaft; and agolf coupling mechanism for coupling the golf club head and the golfclub shaft together; wherein: the golf coupling mechanism comprises ashaft sleeve configured to be coupled to an end of the golf club shaft;the golf club head comprises a shaft receiver configured to receive theshaft sleeve; the shaft sleeve comprises: a sleeve axis extending alonga longitudinal centerline of the shaft sleeve, from a sleeve top end toa sleeve bottom end of the shaft sleeve; a shaft bore non-coaxial to thesleeve axis and configured to receive the end of the golf club shaft; asleeve outer wall centered about the sleeve axis; a first couplerprotruding from the sleeve outer wall; a second coupler protruding fromthe sleeve outer wall; and a sleeve insertion portion comprising atleast a portion of the sleeve outer wall and of the first and secondcouplers, the sleeve insertion portion being configured to be insertedinto the shaft receiver; the shaft receiver comprises: a receiver innerwall configured to bound at least the portion of the sleeve outer wallthat is part of the sleeve insertion portion when the sleeve insertionportion is in the shaft receiver; a third coupler indented into thereceiver inner wall; and a fourth coupler indented into the receiverinner wall; the first coupler comprises a first arcuate surfacecomprising: a first vertical radius of curvature of at leastapproximately 10.1 mm; and a first horizontal radius of curvature ofapproximately 2.5 mm to approximately 5.7 mm; the second couplercomprises a second arcuate surface comprising: a second vertical radiusof curvature of at least approximately 10.1 mm; and a second horizontalradius of curvature of approximately 2.5 mm to approximately 5.7 mm; thethird coupler comprises a third arcuate surface complementary with atleast a portion of the first arcuate surface of the first coupler, thethird arcuate surface comprising: a third vertical radius of curvatureof at least approximately 10.1 mm; and a third horizontal radius ofcurvature of approximately 2.5 mm to approximately 5.7 mm; the fourthcoupler comprises a fourth arcuate surface complementary with at least aportion of the second arcuate surface of the second coupler, the fourtharcuate surface comprising: a fourth vertical radius of curvature of atleast approximately 10.1 mm; and a fourth horizontal radius of curvatureof approximately 2.5 mm to approximately 5.7 mm; and the first, second,third, and fourth arcuate surfaces are configured to restrict a rotationof the shaft sleeve relative to the golf club head.
 2. The golf clubmechanism of claim 1, wherein: when the first coupler is coupled to thethird coupler and when the second coupler is coupled to the fourthcoupler, at least one of a loft angle or a lie angle of the golf club isincreased by approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4 degreesrelative to the sleeve axis; when the first coupler is coupled to thefourth coupler and the second coupler is coupled to the third coupler,at least one of the loft angle or the lie angle of the golf club isdecreased by approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4 degreesrelative to the sleeve axis; a total surface area of the first coupleris edgeless with respect to any portion thereof within a first couplerperimeter bounding the total surface area of the first coupler; a totalsurface area of the second coupler is edgeless with respect to anyportion thereof within a second coupler perimeter bounding the totalsurface area of the second coupler; the first arcuate surface comprisesa first quadric surface comprising a portion of at least one of a firstparaboloid surface or a first hyperboloid surface; and the secondarcuate surface comprises a second quadric surface comprising a portionof at least one of a second paraboloid surface or a second hyperboloidsurface.
 3. A golf coupling mechanism for a golf club head and a golfclub shaft, the golf coupling mechanism comprising: a shaft sleeveconfigured to be coupled to an end of the golf club shaft; wherein: theshaft sleeve comprises: a shaft bore configured to receive the end ofthe golf club shaft; a sleeve axis extending along a longitudinalcenterline of the shaft sleeve, from a sleeve top end to a sleeve bottomend of the shaft sleeve; a sleeve outer wall centered about the sleeveaxis; a first coupler protruding from the sleeve outer wall; and asecond coupler protruding from the sleeve outer wall; the first couplercomprises a first arcuate surface curved throughout the first coupler;the second coupler comprises a second arcuate surface curved throughoutthe second coupler; and the first and second arcuate surfaces areconfigured to restrict a rotation of the shaft sleeve relative to thegolf club head.
 4. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 3, furthercomprising: a shaft receiver of the golf club head configured to receivethe shaft sleeve; wherein: the shaft sleeve comprises: a sleeveinsertion portion comprising at least a portion of the sleeve outer walland of the first and second couplers, the sleeve insertion portionconfigured to be inserted into the shaft receiver; the shaft receivercomprises: a receiver inner wall configured to bound at least theportion of the sleeve outer wall that is part of the sleeve insertionportion when the sleeve insertion portion is in the shaft receiver; athird coupler indented into the receiver inner wall; and a fourthcoupler indented into the receiver inner wall; the third couplercomprises a third arcuate surface complementary with at least a portionof the first arcuate surface of the first coupler; and the fourthcoupler comprises a fourth arcuate surface complementary with at least aportion of the second arcuate surface of the second coupler.
 5. The golfcoupling mechanism of claim 4, further comprising: a first configurationwhere: the first coupler of the shaft sleeve is coupled to the thirdcoupler of the shaft receiver; and the second coupler of the shaftsleeve is coupled to the fourth coupler of the shaft receiver; wherein:in the first configuration: a majority of the first arcuate surface ofthe first coupler is seated against a majority of the third arcuatesurface of the third coupler across a first contact area; and a majorityof the second arcuate surface of the second coupler is seated against amajority of the fourth arcuate surface of the fourth coupler across asecond contact area.
 6. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 5, furthercomprising: a second configuration where: the first coupler of the shaftsleeve is coupled to the fourth coupler of the shaft receiver; and thesecond coupler of the shaft sleeve is coupled to the third coupler ofthe shaft receiver; wherein: in the second configuration: a majority ofthe first arcuate surface of the first coupler is seated against amajority of the third arcuate surface of the third coupler; and amajority of the second arcuate surface of the second coupler is seatedagainst a majority of the fourth arcuate surface of the fourth coupler;the first configuration comprises at least one of: a first lie anglebetween the shaft bore and the shaft receiver; or a first loft anglebetween the shaft bore and the shaft receiver; and the secondconfiguration comprises at least one of: a second lie angle between theshaft bore and the shaft receiver when the first configuration comprisesthe first lie angle; or a second loft angle between the shaft bore andthe shaft receiver when the first configuration comprises the first loftangle.
 7. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 6, further comprising: athird configuration; and a fourth configuration; wherein: the shaftsleeve further comprises: a fifth coupler protruding from the sleeveouter wall and comprising a fifth arcuate surface curved throughout thefifth coupler; and a sixth coupler protruding from the sleeve outer walland comprising a sixth arcuate surface curved throughout the sixthcoupler; the shaft receiver further comprises: a seventh couplerindented into the receiver inner wall and comprising a seventh arcuatesurface; and a eighth coupler indented into the receiver inner wall andcomprising an eighth arcuate surface; the first configuration comprisesthe first lie angle and the first loft angle, with: the fifth coupler ofthe shaft sleeve coupled to the seventh coupler of the shaft receiver;and the sixth coupler of the shaft sleeve coupled to the eighth couplerof the shaft receiver; the second configuration comprises the second lieangle and the second loft angle, with: the fifth coupler of the shaftsleeve coupled to the eighth coupler of the shaft receiver; and thesixth coupler of the shaft sleeve coupled to the seventh coupler of theshaft receiver; the third configuration comprises a third lie angle anda third loft angle, with: the first coupler of the shaft sleeve coupledto the eighth coupler of the shaft receiver; the second coupler of theshaft sleeve coupled to the seventh coupler of the shaft receiver; thefifth coupler of the shaft sleeve coupled to the third coupler of theshaft receiver; and the sixth coupler of the shaft sleeve coupled to thefourth coupler of the shaft receiver; and the fourth configurationcomprises a fourth lie angle and a fourth loft angle, with: the firstcoupler of the shaft sleeve coupled to the seventh coupler of the shaftreceiver; the second coupler of the shaft sleeve coupled to the eighthcoupler of the shaft receiver; the fifth coupler of the shaft sleevecoupled to the fourth coupler of the shaft receiver; and the sixthcoupler of the shaft sleeve coupled to the third coupler of the shaftreceiver.
 8. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 7, wherein: the firstlie angle comprises a lower lie angle relative to the second lie angle;the first loft angle comprises a first middle loft angle relative to thethird and fourth loft angles; the second lie angle comprises a higherlie angle relative to the first lie angle; the second loft anglecomprises a second middle loft angle relative to the third and fourthloft angles; the third lie angle comprises a first middle lie anglerelative to the first and second lie angles; the third loft anglecomprises a lower loft angle relative to the fourth loft angle; thefourth lie angle comprises a second middle lie angle relative to thefirst and second lie angles; and the fourth loft angle comprises ahigher loft angle relative to the third loft angle.
 9. The golf couplingmechanism of claim 7, wherein: the first and second loft angles aresubstantially similar to each other; and the third and fourth lie anglesare substantially similar to each other.
 10. The golf coupling mechanismof claim 7, wherein: the first lie angle is approximately 0.2 degrees toapproximately 4 degrees lower than the third lie angle; the second lieangle is approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4 degrees greaterthan the fourth lie angle; the third loft angle is approximately 0.2degrees to approximately 4 degrees lower than the first loft angle; andthe fourth loft angle is approximately 0.2 degrees to approximately 4degrees greater than the second loft angle.
 11. The golf couplingmechanism of claim 5, wherein: when seated against each other, themajority of the first arcuate surface and the majority of the thirdarcuate surface exert opposing normal forces against each other acrossthe first contact area; and when seated against each other, the majorityof the second arcuate surface and the majority of the fourth arcuatesurface exert opposing normal forces against each other across thesecond contact area.
 12. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 4,wherein: the first and second couplers protrude from a top section ofthe sleeve outer wall towards the sleeve top end; and the third andfourth couplers are indented into a top section of the receiver innerwall.
 13. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 4, wherein: the firstarcuate surface of the first coupler comprises: a first horizontalradius of curvature; and a first vertical tapering decreasing inthickness towards the sleeve bottom end; the second arcuate surface ofthe second coupler comprises: a second horizontal radius of curvature;and a second vertical tapering decreasing in thickness towards thesleeve bottom end; the third arcuate surface of the third couplercomprises: a third horizontal radius of curvature complementary with thefirst horizontal radius of curvature; and a third vertical taperingcomplementary with the first vertical tapering; and the fourth arcuatesurface of the fourth coupler comprises: a fourth horizontal radius ofcurvature complementary with the second horizontal radius of curvature;and a fourth vertical tapering complementary with the second verticaltapering.
 14. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 13 wherein: the firstvertical tapering comprises a first vertical radius of curvature; thesecond vertical tapering comprises a second vertical radius ofcurvature; the third vertical tapering comprises a third vertical radiusof curvature complementary with the first vertical radius of curvature;the fourth vertical tapering comprises a fourth vertical radius ofcurvature complementary with the second vertical radius of curvature;each of the first, second, third, and fourth horizontal radii ofcurvature is of approximately 2.5 mm to approximately 5.7 mm; and eachof the first, second third, and fourth vertical radii of curvature is ofapproximately 10.1 mm to approximately 50.8 mm.
 15. The golf couplingmechanism of claim 13, wherein: the first, second, third, and fourthvertical taperings are substantially linear.
 16. The golf couplingmechanism of claim 4, wherein: when the shaft sleeve is secured in theshaft receiver, with the first coupler seated against the third couplerand the second coupler seated against the fourth coupler: a majority ofa total surface of the first coupler is configured to impede a rotationof the shaft sleeve relative to the shaft receiver; and a majority of atotal surface of the second coupler is configured to impede the rotationof the shaft sleeve relative to the shaft receiver.
 17. The golfcoupling mechanism of claim 4, further comprising: a securing fastenerconfigured to secure the shaft sleeve to the shaft receiver; wherein thesecuring fastener is configured to pull the shaft sleeve towards areceiver bottom end of the shaft receiver to seat the first arcuatesurface against the third arcuate surface and to seat the second arcuatesurface against the fourth arcuate surface.
 18. The golf couplingmechanism of claim 17, further comprising: a retainer element configuredto restrict disengagement of the securing fastener from the shaftreceiver when decoupled from the shaft sleeve, the retainer elementcomprising at least one of: a washer located within the shaft receiver,flexibly engaged around one or more threads of the securing fastener; ora threaded bore through which the retainer element enters the shaftreceiver.
 19. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 4, wherein: the shaftsleeve further comprises: a sleeve top portion at the sleeve top end andexternal to the shaft receiver when the sleeve insertion portion is inthe shaft receiver; and a bottom end of the sleeve top portion is spacedaway from a top end of the shaft receiver by the first and secondcouplers when the shaft sleeve is secured in the shaft receiver.
 20. Thegolf coupling mechanism of claim 3, wherein: the first and secondarcuate surfaces are devoid of an inflection point.
 21. The golfcoupling mechanism of claim 3, wherein: any horizontal line tangentialto any point of a first total surface of the first coupler isnon-tangential to any other point of the first total surface of thefirst coupler.
 22. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 3, wherein: atotal surface of the first coupler is curved throughout and in alldirections.
 23. The golf coupling mechanism of claim 3, wherein: a totalsurface area of the first coupler is edgeless with respect to anyportion thereof within a first coupler perimeter bounding the totalsurface area of the first coupler.
 24. The golf coupling mechanism ofclaim 3, wherein: the first arcuate surface comprises a first quadricsurface comprising a portion of at least one of: a first paraboloidsurface; or a first hyperboloid surface; and the second arcuate surfacecomprises a second quadric surface comprising a portion of at least oneof: a second paraboloid surface; or a second hyperboloid surface. 25.The golf coupling mechanism of claim 24, wherein: the first quadricsurface comprises a portion of a first conical surface; and the secondquadric surface comprises a portion of a second conical surface.
 26. Thegolf coupling mechanism of claim 3, wherein: the shaft bore isnon-coaxial to the sleeve axis.
 27. A method for providing a golfcoupling mechanism, the method comprising: providing a shaft sleeveconfigured to be coupled to an end of a golf club shaft; wherein:providing the shaft sleeve comprises: providing a sleeve axis extendingalong a longitudinal centerline of the shaft sleeve, from a sleeve topend to a sleeve bottom end of the shaft sleeve; providing a sleeve outerwall centered about the sleeve axis; providing a first couplerprotruding from the sleeve outer wall; and providing a second couplerprotruding from the sleeve outer wall; providing the first couplercomprises: providing a first arcuate surface curved throughout the firstcoupler; providing the second coupler comprises: providing a secondarcuate surface curved throughout the second coupler; and the first andsecond arcuate surfaces are configured to restrict a rotation of theshaft sleeve relative to a golf club head.
 28. The method of claim 27,further comprising: providing a shaft receiver of the golf club headconfigured to receive the shaft sleeve; wherein: providing the shaftsleeve comprises: providing a sleeve insertion portion comprising atleast a portion of the sleeve outer wall and of the first and secondcouplers, the sleeve insertion portion configured to be inserted intothe shaft receiver; providing the shaft receiver comprises: providing areceiver inner wall configured to bound the sleeve outer wall when thesleeve insertion portion is in the shaft receiver; providing a thirdcoupler indented into the receiver inner wall; and providing a fourthcoupler indented into the receiver inner wall; providing the thirdcoupler comprises: providing a third arcuate surface complementary withat least a portion of the first arcuate surface of the first coupler;and providing the fourth coupler comprises: providing a fourth arcuatesurface complementary with at least a portion of the second arcuatesurface of the second coupler.